The Wrestling Thread Can Wrestle MICHAEL COLE If It Wants To!! - Part 106

[Dr. Evil]

Mike Johnson is reporting that WWE is beginning to send out surveys to fans to gauge interest in a possible WWE fan convention. The convention would be in the style of a Comic-Con, or a UFC Fan Expo where it would take place for 3-4 days before a WWE pay-per-view. It would be more like a comic book convention than WWE's usual Fan Axxess where it would include specific content, with panels featuring WWE writers, executives, legends and current talent.

The convention could also possibly include NXT bouts, autograph sessions, interactive fan contests, PPV event watching parties in theaters, a vendor area, a WWE memorabilia display, a fan collection zone and a video game lounge. WWE is looking at an early VIP ticket price of $100-$150 and early locations of Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Source: PWInsider.com

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

That would be awesome But right now I just wish WWE would push Yoshi Tatsu at least on Smackdown's mid-cards

After hearing that Tatsu once legit knocked out Sheamus in fight, I wish Tatsu would get a push.

Okuda and anyone that the WWE may be interested in are better off staying where they are.

Too true.

 

[Pink Ranger]

I really enjoy NJPW. It makes me wish a Japanese wrestler will finally become WWE champion.

That is a laudable goal, but I think it will never happen. While I think there is a ton of respect for the major Japanese promotions among the WWE, from the bookers, workers and suits alike, and while the working styles, though different, are highly compatible, I think the differences in cultural context make it almost impossible.

Americans will never buy into a full-fledged foreign Asian hero. In a pop cultural context, the acceptance of Asian-Americans is already dubious, so someone from abroad would be even more dubious. As for a top heel, you'd have trouble finding a Japanese wrestler big enough to be a credible physical threat to someone like John Cena, or a wrestler charismatic enough to be a credible clever heel.

Now, unlike in previous years, for once I believe there is a sliver of a chance I could be wrong about this in my lifetime. The reason for this is Daniel Bryan: he basically reminds me of what a successful Japanese wrestler might work like, in both the ring and as a character, in the WWE main event picture.

 

[sweetre15]

Mike Johnson is reporting that WWE is beginning to send out surveys to fans to gauge interest in a possible WWE fan convention. The convention would be in the style of a Comic-Con, or a UFC Fan Expo where it would take place for 3-4 days before a WWE pay-per-view. It would be more like a comic book convention than WWE's usual Fan Axxess where it would include specific content, with panels featuring WWE writers, executives, legends and current talent.

The convention could also possibly include NXT bouts, autograph sessions, interactive fan contests, PPV event watching parties in theaters, a vendor area, a WWE memorabilia display, a fan collection zone and a video game lounge. WWE is looking at an early VIP ticket price of $100-$150 and early locations of Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Source: PWInsider.com

Sounds like an interesting idea.

 

[Hunter Rider]

My money is on Cold and Elgin being the final.

Hopefully the two semis will be Cole vs Bennett and London vs Kendrick.

Pretty much agreed on everything here. I wasn't as harsh as you were on the Sabin/Bully match, but I definitely see your point. I would have preferred it if MEM kept the A&8's from even showing up at ring side by beating them backstage or showing up without a confrontation. Sabin's win could have been booked better in that sense (along with not using the hammer) but I gave it a pass because of how well he was built up throughout the night and for his story. Hopefully he is built to look strong in the upcoming weeks before he drops the title and Sabin steps up his game on the mic.

As you know I don't see Sabin ever truly being a top guy, to me this title run is like the one Miz had, it's a case of needing a specific type of guy as champion to feed a bigger angle and not overshadow it. However the night itself would have worked much better if it had been like you suggested, the MEM taking Aces & Eights out before the match, allowing Bully and Sabin to just have their match, even the hammer counter wouldn't be so bad within that setting, although it's still a weak way for a face to win a World title.

One thing is for damn sure, I am ready for the whole Aces and Eights storyline to be done! It started off with so much potential when they first showed up and now it's just pathetic. They have a weak crew with no name value, and the new guys in the group have little talent to get themselves over. TNA take a cue from WWE and The Shield on how to get a new faction with debuting names over!

The advantage The Shield had on top of being booked strongly against top guys, is that they came in with buzz from the indies and developmental, they were guys on the rise. Aces & Eights are made up of lower card WWE cast-offs (DOC & Knux) and rookies with zero credibility (Bischoff and Briscoe), which was a tough hurdle to get over.

Unfortunately this whole thing is going to be drug out to BFG. The sad part is Bully's talents are being completely wasted because they are having him focus on feuding with Hogan. Due to that there is no strong build or challenger for him at BFG other than Hogan.

AJ should have been that slow build to Bully at BFG. Even if that match still happens, which with TNA's booking you'll never know, it will not be as strong or climatic as it could have been.

Just a mess all around.

With the way TNA's been booked, they'd be better off having Sabin drop the title to Aries, who Sabin has a seed of history with now, and letting him carry it to BFG to wrestle AJ.

It really does suck for Bully, he busted his ass to reinvent himself and when he finally gets his shot at being champion they saddle him with carrying a limp faction and facilitating another angle for Hogan.

AJ feels like he's in no mans land as well, it's like they came up with an idea for his character but only up to the point where he returns, there has been no clear plan as far as he goes for weeks and no one seemed to stop and consider whether AJ can pull this off.

I'd definitely go for your idea of switching to Aries vs AJ but I think TNA will stay the course, come BFG the title will be in the middle of the MEM/Hogan vs Aces & Eights angle, I dread to think what exactly that will entail match-wise.

That is a laudable goal, but I think it will never happen. While I think there is a ton of respect for the major Japanese promotions among the WWE, from the bookers, workers and suits alike, and while the working styles, though different, are highly compatible, I think the differences in cultural context make it almost impossible.

Americans will never buy into a full-fledged foreign Asian hero. In a pop cultural context, the acceptance of Asian-Americans is already dubious, so someone from abroad would be even more dubious. As for a top heel, you'd have trouble finding a Japanese wrestler big enough to be a credible physical threat to someone like John Cena, or a wrestler charismatic enough to be a credible clever heel.

Now, unlike in previous years, for once I believe there is a sliver of a chance I could be wrong about this in my lifetime. The reason for this is Daniel Bryan: he basically reminds me of what a successful Japanese wrestler might work like, in both the ring and as a character, in the WWE main event picture.

Okada answers all these doubts IMO Pinky.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Slushy]

@ ndx

I'm pretty sure the matches are in their entirety.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Former WWE Diva Lisa Marie Varon, known as Victoria in WWE and Tara in TNA, has been posting multiple workout photos on Twitter and has been hinting towards a return, possibly to the WWE. She was released last week by TNA in a budget cutting measure and has been using the hashtag #WhatIsSheGettingReadyFor.

She could come in as AJ's Mom!
​

 

[Superark]

As you know I don't see Sabin ever truly being a top guy, to me this title run is like the one Miz had, it's a case of needing a specific type of guy as champion to feed a bigger angle and not overshadow it. However the night itself would have worked much better if it had been like you suggested, the MEM taking Aces & Eights out before the match, allowing Bully and Sabin to just have their match, even the hammer counter wouldn't be so bad within that setting, although it's still a weak way for a face to win a World title.

Besides giving Sabin a show of appreciation with this win, I believe this is pretty much what expect is the case. I fully expect Sabi'ns run to be short loved. This will be nothing more than a feather in his cap.

I honestly believe we'll see Bully win the title back at Hardcore Justice with the help of Brooke Hogan.

It really does suck for Bully, he busted his ass to reinvent himself and when he finally gets his shot at being champion they saddle him with carrying a limp faction and facilitating another angle for Hogan.

AJ feels like he's in no mans land as well, it's like they came up with an idea for his character but only up to the point where he returns, there has been no clear plan as far as he goes for weeks and no one seemed to stop and consider whether AJ can pull this off.

I'd definitely go for your idea of switching to Aries vs AJ but I think TNA will stay the course, come BFG the title will be in the middle of the MEM/Hogan vs Aces & Eights angle, I dread to think what exactly that will entail match-wise.

I never would've guessed Bully would have been feuding with Hogan this entire time. I should have known better given Hulk's ego. Bully could be having great programs with guys like Storm, Hardy, Angle, Aries, etc.

We've touched on the AJ angle before so I won't go too much into it, but man does it feel like AJ has lost some momentum in he last couple of months. It appeared folks were intrigued with his change of character and the attack on Aces and Eights went over well. Of course TNA unfathomably did not follow up on it and now he's treading water with the BFG series.

TNA needs to give these guys some momentum and quickly, because BFG is not far off.

I too believe MEM/Hogan vs. A&8's will be the main focus of BFG, with Bully vs. AJ likely on top.

I cannot picture what the BFG card will look like at this point because so many of the guys are focused on A&8's or do not have any direction.

 

[Dr. Evil]

That New Japan card sounds awesome. Hopefully it'll be on Youtube sometime.

 

[TX85]

So is TNA going back to the Impact Zone?,Since their on the road experiment had pretty much failed so far

 

[Dr. Evil]

So is TNA going back to the Impact Zone?,Since their on the road experiment had pretty much failed so far

As long as the WWE is in the area with NXT and the Performance Center, a return to the Impact Zone by TNA is unlikely.

 

[StarLord]

She could come in as AJ's Mom!
​

If Victoria returns then she has to use her old theme....

[YT]v4zrvpOM_50[/YT]

 

[TX85]

Victoria as AJ's manager/tag partner would be f'n awesome

 

[Van Petrol]

Victoria would eat AJ for breakfast.

...with that said, I'd love me some more Lisa Marie Varon.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Victoria would be good as Big E's secret girlfriend, the reason why he doesn't "like AJ that way."

 

[the_ultimate_evil]

If Victoria returns then she has to use her old theme....

[YT]v4zrvpOM_50[/YT]

wasnt a fan of the song itself, but by god that worked perfectly for her theme


i still remember the whole controversy when it was released in the uk


as for aj, sod a team i want a feud. finish the kaitlyn feud with her moving on to face a heel (yeah thats right heel) layla and aj cutting a promo about being the dominant diva and while she hated it in the past recent event have got her to embrace the crazy (ala harley quinn) and no one could match her in any sense

cue all the things she said

 

[Specter313]

It was a perfect theme for her, but since it was done by an artist outside the WWE, they'd have to buy the rights to use it again, and it's been said Vince can be a stickler for that sort of thing.

 

[Pink Ranger]

It was a perfect theme for her, but since it was done by an artist outside the WWE, they'd have to buy the rights to use it again, and it's been said Vince can be a stickler for that sort of thing.

I'm pretty sure a deal can be worked out. From what I remember of tAtU, they resembled the kind of artists that you can pay in singles and cocaine. So basically just hand over Ric Flair's gym bag and there you go.

 

[StarLord]

Might be better just to hand over Ric Flair to be honest.

 

[Pink Ranger]

Might be better just to hand over Ric Flair to be honest.

Ric Flair has so much junk in him, if the WWE has to send him somewhere on a plane, they have to stuff him inside a condom and have Big Show swallow it.

 

[NDX]

Mike Johnson is reporting that WWE is beginning to send out surveys to fans to gauge interest in a possible WWE fan convention. The convention would be in the style of a Comic-Con, or a UFC Fan Expo where it would take place for 3-4 days before a WWE pay-per-view. It would be more like a comic book convention than WWE's usual Fan Axxess where it would include specific content, with panels featuring WWE writers, executives, legends and current talent.

The convention could also possibly include NXT bouts, autograph sessions, interactive fan contests, PPV event watching parties in theaters, a vendor area, a WWE memorabilia display, a fan collection zone and a video game lounge. WWE is looking at an early VIP ticket price of $100-$150 and early locations of Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Orlando.

Source: PWInsider.com

I'd try to go to that. That seems more interesting than just an autograph signing. Autographs really don't mean anything to me.

 

[Lobo]

I would definitely go to that.